Ricotta chicken
The best ricotta chicken recipe with juicy chicken breasts, rich ricotta cheese, and melty mozzarella baked in savory marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
1 ½ cups jarred marinara sauce
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded to an even ½-inch thickness (approximately 1 ¾ to 2 pounds)
1 ¼ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 ½ cups whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 large egg, room temperature
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Spread ¾ cup of the marinara sauce evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Reserve the remaining ¾ cup for later.
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the baking dish.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
Divide the cheese mixture evenly among the chicken breasts, spreading it over the top of each piece.
Spoon the remaining ¾ cup marinara sauce over the tops of the cheese-coated chicken breasts, spreading gently.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken, and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end if you want a more golden cheese topping.
Remove from the oven and let the ricotta chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil, if desired, before serving.
Notes
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook evenly and stay tender.
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
Do not overbake the chicken; check with a meat thermometer for best results.
Broiling at the end is optional, but it adds a nice golden finish to the cheese.
Serve with pasta, roasted vegetables, salad, or garlic bread.
Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/ricotta-chicken/
